Adelaide is an idyllic place with some mountains beside it, and with orchards and natural sights with go with it. We had the opportunity to visit this little city, and would like to share some of the sights with you.
We touched down @ Adelaide airport, picked up our rental car (KIA Carnival Grand) and drove through Mc Laren Vale area, arrived at beachside accom in Victor Harbour area. So, here we are, landed in the Adelaide airport, with loads of luggage, waiting for our rental car to be picked up and handed over to us. Oh yes, we got the car from Europcar.
On the way we went, passing through lonely roads and going through the McLaren area. It’s a pretty lonely drive, so it really helps if you’ve got company, music and the occasional topographic mishaps to spruce up the “mood”.. lol.
Stopping by the roadside to view the vines. There were many vineyards along the stretch where we stopped, so it’s easy to walk around and get up and close to the vines.
We saw bunches and bunches of grapes and vine plant. Before I knew it, one of us had tasted a single grape and told us it’s nice and sweet. 🙂 Frankly, I don’t think it’s a good thing to pluck from other’s vines, but… well.
Flowers at Chapel Hill vineyard, nice yellow colour amidst the dull green leaves.
Chapel Hill Vineyard entrance, leading to wine tasting area. We were here for a while, and walked around, but as we were not really into the wine tasting, it was really a stop, shoot, relax and go kind of visit to the winery. The weather was cool and inviting, and we appreciate getting out of the vehicle after a long drive (guess that’s the real reason eh?)
Signboard pointing to the entrance to Chapel Hill Vineyard. The winery was located along a long stretch of road, and you wouldn’t miss the vineyard as the signboard is prominently displayed 🙂
These vines are very old, dated back to 1969. Boy, I was not even born yet! I guess these are the grand-fathers of the new plants, and more “pure” and “robust” genes than the newer ones?
Next, we stopped by the Coriole Vineyard. We missed a turn due to some technical problem but found it near the Fairmount vineyard after several turns, and U-turns, and scratching of heads. Apparently, it’s not on the GPS’s information database, so a little bit of enquiring here and there from the people there.
After leaving the vineyard region, we went on to reach our seaside accommodation – “Blue Seas chalet”. The chalet faces the ocean! Wow! That’s nice, and it’s evening, so we dropped our stuff (took a while to settle into the place), and plan to go out for a breath of fresh sea air later.
From the bedroom window, you can see some folks going about their jogging, walking their dogs and hear the the ocean waves crashing on the shores.
Just to give you a feel of the interior deco of Blue Seas. Simple but functional. It’s got an attached kitchen, so we can always whip up a meal easily.
In the cold evening air, we ventured out to the shore, and some folks actually using a parachute for surfing: Para-surfing. Pretty cool to see them in the seas, but I think it’s kinda too challenging for my fitness level. lol.. 🙂
Next day, we visited the morning market, selling all kinds of stuff. Here’s one selling decorative ornaments for the garden.
This is a coffee joint – a mobile one, that is!
Floral flowers are for sale as one passerby looks on.
Any one keen for a session of grilled breakfast?
Next, we visited Port Elliot not far away. It’s a sleepy little town with some bakeries and we visited “The Strand”, a stretch of road with some interesting buildings and such.
This is an old building. It’s called “The Registry”, a coffee and juice bar.
This is a small church housed in a old stone building. It’s called St. Jude’s church.
Interior of the St Jude’s church. We were welcomed by a very friendly old lady.
We stopped by the Kleinigs Hill Lookout. This place is a look out point with mosaiced whale and represents the dreaming story of the Ramindjeri/ Ngarrindjeri people. This is a part of the mosaiced floor.
Our next destination is the Granite Island. Granite Island was once connected to the mainland. It has survived the force of the ocean while the land that once surrounded it eroded away.
Cafe and food joints at the gate leading to the causeway
Strawberries, anyone? We didn’t try these out, as we would be visiting a strawberry farm in the near future 🙂
Granite Island is home to a colony of approximately 150 little penguins (Eudyptula minor) and guided tours operate each evening at dusk.
Here, vehicles (and only authorised vehicles!) need to travel slow, and no dogs are allowed. The dogs tend to go after the little penguins and upset them.
Here’s another warning to give way to little penguins. Obstructing the penguins nightly pathway can prevent them from returning to their burrows, and in breeding season, this can delay or prevent chicks from being fed.
The cafe near the screwpile jetty.
This is the place where people can take the oldest hose drawn tram to/fro the island using the causeway. Behind is the climb which we will be taking to go up and take a look from a high point of the island.
Caution! Beware of waves. Father and son looking out to sea. I hope no waves will come upon them!
Huge rocks! Look for the human on the right for a sense of scale.
Going home after a day of fishing! =)
I saw a rock when walking on top of granite island, and it really looks like a lamb eating grass.. so cute. 🙂
Shrubs of the Australian continent can be very different from the equatorial ones we see in Singapore.
Single bush of grass at the foot of a big tree… so lonely..
Sea gull resting on the hand rail.
Going home with sinister looking clouds forming, threatening to pour. Strangely, there was no rain that evening.
This is the horse we saw “working” on that day.. 🙂
Baked Potatoes!
Our parking slips. Needed to purchase multiple tickets cos we are spending time at the Granite Island.
Going for a tea break at the famous Anchorage Cafe.
Apparently, the coffee here is award winning! 🙂 The cafe’s website is at: http://www.anchorageseafronthotel.com/site/
View from inside the cafe
The Tiramisu is good – very good!
Side view of the Hotel cum restaurant cum cafe from across the street.
